In a compelling CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, Lionel Messi demonstrated his enduring brilliance by scoring a hat trick and leading Argentina to a resounding 6-0 victory over Bolivia. At 37 years old, Messi showcased his clinical finishing ability, creativity, and playmaking skills, greatly contributing to his team’s dominant performance under coach Lionel Scaloni. The encounter took place at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, where Messi opened the scoring in the 19th minute after Lautaro Martinez intercepted the ball from Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez. Messi’s precise finish into the bottom corner set the tone for the match, exciting the home crowd and providing a glimpse of the formidable partnership between him and Martinez.
As the match progressed, Messi continued his influential role by assisting Martinez’s goal in the 43rd minute. Julian Alvarez set up this chance with a brilliant pass, allowing Messi to unselfishly square the ball for Martinez to convert. Just minutes later, Messi capitalized on a moment of confusion in the Bolivian defense during a free kick, chipping the ball expertly for Alvarez to find the net, extending Argentina’s lead to three goals before halftime. Following the break, the team’s momentum was unwavering, with Nicolas Otamendi having a header disallowed for offside early in the second half. However, Thiago Almada soon scored Argentina’s fourth goal, finishing a well-crafted play initiated by Nahuel Molina.
Messi added to his tally in the 84th minute with a classic goal defined by his signature dribbling. He seamlessly maneuvered through defenders before switching the ball from his left to right foot, striking it firmly into the bottom corner. Just two minutes later, he again delighted his fans by executing a brilliant wall pass with substitute Nico Paz before slotting the ball past the Bolivian goalkeeper, Guillermo Viscarra, cementing the game with his third goal. This victory propelled Argentina to the top of the 10-team qualifying table, with a total of 22 points from ten matches, maintaining a healthy three-point lead over Colombia, who also celebrated a victory against Chile in a separate match.
Colombia’s 4-0 win over Chile showcased a stylish and resurgent performance, particularly notable given the team’s retro kit celebrating the Colombian Football Federation’s centenary. Defenders played a key role in Colombia’s first goal, with Davinson Sanchez nodding home a goal from a James Rodriguez corner in the 34th minute. Despite having a goal ruled out for offside shortly before halftime, Colombia took complete control after the break thanks to a defensive blunder from Chile. Luis Diaz capitalized on a mistake by Benjamin Kusevic to score Colombia’s second goal, followed by a late brace from substitute Jhon Duran to secure the emphatic 4-0 victory, pushing Colombia firmly into second place in the standings.
Meanwhile, Brazil continued to assert their dominance in the qualifiers with a convincing 4-0 victory over Peru in Brasilia. The match featured two penalty conversions by Raphinha, who opened the scoring in the 38th minute after Carlos Zambrano’s foul in the box. He doubled his tally in the 54th minute from another penalty after a foul on Savinho, illustrating Brazil’s attacking prowess. The third goal was a highlight of the match, with Andreas Pereira executing a stunning scissor-kick volley from a Luiz Henrique cross to add flair to Brazil’s performance. Henrique himself capped the rout with a powerful left-footed shot from outside the box, further solidifying Brazil’s position in fourth place in the qualifying standings.
Paraguay also bolstered their qualification hopes with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Venezuela, courtesy of a second-half performance from substitute Antonio Sanabria. After falling behind to a goal from Venezuela’s Jon Aramburu in the 25th minute, Paraguay regained their footing in the match when Sanabria scored the equalizer shortly after the halftime break. He followed this by netting the decisive goal in the 74th minute, demonstrating Paraguay’s resilience and determination to secure a crucial win, placing them in a promising position for automatic qualification. In contrast, Uruguay and Ecuador battled to a goalless draw, maintaining the competitive nature of the qualifiers and underscoring how every point is vital as teams strive for World Cup participation.
As the qualification campaign progresses, Argentina’s emphatic win over Bolivia highlighted Messi’s extraordinary talent and influence on the pitch. The performances from Colombia and Brazil further strengthened their standings in the World Cup race, while Paraguay’s comeback victory showcased the unpredictability and talent present in the CONMEBOL qualifiers. With each match, the dynamics of the competition continue to evolve, setting the stage for an exciting run toward the World Cup as nations vie to secure their place on football’s grandest stage. The rich tapestry of South American football unfolds with each game, illustrating the passion, skill, and determination that define the region’s approach to the beautiful game.
